Triumph 1300 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Triumph 1300 car check
Is the Triumph 1300 reliable? We analysed 1,809 real MOT tests across 252 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Triumph 1300? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Triumph 1300 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and brake binding. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Triumph 1300.
Triumph 1300 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Triumph 1300. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Triumph 1300 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Triumph 1300 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Triumph 1300 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Triumph 1300 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Triumph 1300 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Triumph 1300 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Triumph 1300 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Triumph 1300 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 101 | 76.2% | 7,466 | 41,231 | 57,726 |
| 1970 | 441 | 77.3% | 33,489 | 54,942 | 74,549 |
| 1969 | 482 | 75.9% | 36,331 | 55,936 | 69,985 |
| 1968 | 314 | 79.6% | 27,123 | 44,641 | 68,753 |
| 1967 | 263 | 76.0% | 28,141 | 59,362 | 81,274 |
| 1966 | 145 | 80.0% | 55,831 | 67,766 | 76,152 |
How Long Does a Triumph 1300 Last?
Based on 252 Triumph 1300 vehicles on UK roads.
Triumph 1300 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Triumph 1300 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Triumph 1300
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
80.0% MOT pass rate from 145 tests
75.9% MOT pass rate from 482 tests
The best year to buy a used Triumph 1300 is 1966, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 80.0% across 145 tests. The 1969 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Triumph 1300 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph 1300 THIS CAR | 77.1% | 1,809 | 54,462 mi | 60 yrs |
| Triumph Bonneville | 90.1% | 235,206 | 7,823 mi | 53 yrs |
| Triumph Tiger | 90.6% | 196,853 | 17,026 mi | 32 yrs |
| Triumph Sprint | 87.3% | 158,613 | 21,242 mi | 33 yrs |
| Suzuki GT | 91.3% | 1,324 | 18,221 mi | 54 yrs |
Compared to the Triumph Bonneville (90.1% pass rate) and the Triumph Tiger (90.6% pass rate), the Triumph 1300 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Triumph 1300 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Triumph 1300Should you buy a used Triumph 1300?
The Triumph 1300 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.1% across 1,809 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Triumph 1300 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (89 recorded failures), subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (73), and brake binding (65). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Triumph 1300 owner drives around 409 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Triumph 1300 models stay on UK roads for around 60 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.